One of the smallest of the dog breeds, the Yorkie is a real cutie who’s proved to be a popular pet for young and old alike.
One of their most appealing qualities just has to be their coat. The beautiful soft and glossy locks are a Yorkie’s crowning glory, so how can you be sure that you’re using the best dog shampoo available for your little pal?
Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of 5 of our favorite Yorkie shampoos, along with guiding you in how best to choose. It won’t be long before you’ve picked your favorite, because only the best shampoo for Yorkies will do for your pooch! Until then, let’s learn some more about this little beauty.
What Are the Best Shampoos for Yorkies?
We’re glad you asked! Let’s review 5 of the top dog shampoos for Yorkies now in this handy buying guide, so you can have your Yorkie’s coat shining in no time.
#1. Zesty Paws Oatmeal Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E
A firm favorite with Yorkie owners, this oatmeal shampoo works wonders on those dogs with sensitive skin.
Aloe vera, vitamin E, and fruit extracts all go into making this a soft, soothing shampoo that curbs itching and leaves your pup smelling sweet and delicious, thanks to its vanilla scent.
Pros:
- Contains oatmeal to actively reduce itching.
- Also contains aloe vera, which has powerful yet natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
- Odor-eliminating deodorizer keeps your pooch smelling fresher for longer.
Cons:
- Not paraben-free.
- Contains sodium laureth sulfate.
#2. Paws & Pals Oatmeal, Shea Butter & Aloe Vera Shampoo
We really had no qualms including this in our ‘best shampoo for a Yorkshire Terrier’ list. Paws Pals have brought us a shampoo made with all-natural, vegan, and certified organic ingredients to make this one of the best dog shampoos out there.
With shea butter, coconut oil, rosemary leaf oil, kernel oil, and the ever-important oatmeal, this shampoo is perfect for Yorkshire Terrier and all dogs with sensitive skin problems.
Pros:
- Packed full of all the good stuff! Natural ingredients, including essential oils and oatmeal, make this a fabulous pet shampoo.
- Paraben-free and sodium laureth sulfate-free.
- Made in the USA.
- Vet-recommended.
Cons:
- Requires quite a lot of shampoo to get a good lather.
- Has been known to increase shedding in some dogs.
#3. Buddy Wash Refreshing Rosemary & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
Here are two-for-one shampoo and conditioner for an extremely reasonable price indeed!
Not only that, but it contains all the things we love in a Yorkie dog shampoo: essential oils including rosemary, mint, and tea tree oil, along with vitamins C and E, coconut and aloe vera gel.
This dog shampoo packs a serious punch while containing zero parabens or sodium laureth sulfate, making it perfect to protect against the dry, itchy skin conditions that are known to plague Yorkies.
Perfect as a puppy shampoo and adult dog shampoo alike, and even safe for humans to use!
Pros:
- Just brimming with natural ingredients for a high-quality bath time.
- Aloe vera and tea tree oil will relieve dry, itchy skin
- Cosmetic-grade ingredients make it a safe shampoo for canines and humans alike.
- Cruelty free, paraben free and soap free.
- Shampoo and conditioner in one to speed up the bathing routine.
- Made in the USA.
Cons:
- Not much scent, despite all the essential oils.
#4. 4-Legger Organic, Hypo-Allergenic, Lemongrass & Aloe Dog Shampoo
It might be a bit of a mouthful to say, but 4 Legger has created a shampoo that seems to tick all the boxes in a dog shampoo that actively looks after your Yorkie’s skin.
It’s a certified organic dog shampoo, with very few ingredients, however it contains plenty of essential oils, which help to keep your dog’s skin heathy and clean. It also contains lemongrass, which is a known anti-fungal agent to double down on skin protection.
It says that the natural oils in this dog shampoo are “saponified” – this is a fancy way of saying that this aloe shampoo isn’t soap-free, but you may need to head to the frequently asked questions of the 4 Legger website or reviews for more information.
Pros:
- Plenty of essential oils, which all work to ease inflammation and itching, and nourish the skin and coat of Yorkshire Terrier.
- No artificial or synthetic chemicals at all.
- Can be used frequently without causing further dry skin, thanks to the gentle ingredients.
- Considered one of the best Yorkie shampoos for maximum coat shine.
Cons:
- Very thin consistency makes this dog shampoo less popular with some owners.
- The strong scent of essential oils can put some owners off.
- This shampoo has been known to irritate owners’ hands, causing them to have dry skin.
#5. TropiClean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut
We love shampoos and conditioners that cater for all the pets in the house! Not only that, but the best shampoos and conditioners are those that can be used as a puppy shampoo; it means they’re gentle on your dog’s coat and skin.
This pet shampoo has a PH balance that will look after your Yorkie’s skin without stripping the natural oils in his coat.
The ingredients in this pet shampoo will leave him smelling fresh and clean while at the same time alleviating dry, itchy skin, yet do all this without parabens, dyes, or soap!
Pros:
- Maintains PH balance in your Yorkie’s coat and skin, which is particularly important to consider when you’re on the lookout for the best Yorkie shampoo.
- Oatmeal for soothing, coconut oil cleanser for cleaning, and aloe vera with vitamin E for repairing are the only ingredients in this shampoo!
- Paraben, soap, and dye-free.
- Made in the USA.
Cons:
- It May not be the best shampoo to maintain that signature glossy Yorkie coat.
- While it smells beautiful, some owners aren’t sure it cleans their dog’s coat all that effectively.
Here are some commonly asked questions:
Why are Yorkies Called Yorkies?
We know them as Yorkies as the name comes from Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkshire, a county in the North of England, was home too many working mills and mines around 200 years ago. The Scottish, who’d come down to find work, brought their dogs with them.
They soon realised that they’d brought a dog who was perfect for getting into tiny nooks and crannies and hunting down rats, especially in the textile mills. They bred their Scottish terriers with other local dog breeds, and the Yorkshire Terrier had arrived.
Today, we shorten their name to Yorkie, and why not? A cute little name for an adorably cute dog!
Are Yorkies Good Lap Dogs?
The funny thing is that despite the Yorkshire Terrier originally being bred as a conscientious working dog, they soon became Victorian lap dogs.
This is because they’re so small and light, they’re easy to pick up and carry around. They’re affectionate and love to be petted, and they’re also fiercely loyal to their owners.
These days, the reason they’re popular with the old and young alike is that Yorkies are very easy to look after, as dogs go. They are small enough to live quite happily in an apartment and can easily be exercised indoors with some creative games and attention.
They’re bright and bouncy with cheerful personalities, but woe betides anyone who comes between them and their owners! A lot of people tend to find Yorkies yappy and even a little snappy, but this is because they’re so determined to protect their owner at all costs, whether they need protecting or not.
The combination of feisty and lovable is what makes Yorkies such great pets. And one of the biggest reasons we love them is that they’re so soft and stroke-able. Stroking a dog releases endorphins in both them and us, and the silky Yorkie coat is perfect for a good snuggle.
So, keep your Yorkie dog’s coat and skin in the very best condition possible by investing in the best shampoo for Yorkies that you can find.
Why is it So Important to Find the Best Shampoo for Yorkies?
A Yorkie’s coat is a work of art, the result of careful breeding that over time has perfected that beautiful long har. Terriers by their nature have very wiry hair, but the Yorkshire Terrier is one of a few exceptions.
No more darting between heavy mill machinery or running down tunnels in mines to catch mice and rats! These days, your Yorkie’s hair won’t get into the kind of mess it would have done many years ago. But it’s vital that you get the best dog shampoo you can find for your dog.
Why is this?
Yorkies Are Known for Their Sensitive Skin
Their most impressive feature can sometimes be their Achilles’ heel!
A Yorkie’s coat is made up of long, fine hairs very similar to human hair. Only, there are many more of them than on a human. Because of the long hair, their skin can be a hive for allergens that get in and irritate their skin.
Not only that, but Yorkies are also sensitive to dust and pollen, and even some detergents. This is why many owners choose not to wash their pet’s blankets with regular detergent and instead use something milder.
For that reason, it’s important to think about using a specific shampoo for Yorkies, one that’s tailored to their needs as a breed. Their grooming needs can be considered a little higher than that of other breeds, so let’s take a look at why that is, and how you can stay on top of your Yorkie’s skin and coat.
Grooming Your Yorkie
Because of their long, fine hair, it’s easy for Yorkies to develop knots and matted clumps. It means that they should be brushed regularly. After all, if we didn’t brush our hair daily, we’d soon have the same problem.
The good news is that because they’re such a small dog, brushing them is really no chore at all and can be done within just a few minutes. Keep a brush nearby for those times your little friend is sitting on your lap and his grooming will become a regular part of your bonding time.
How Often Should You Brush Your Yorkie?
This really depends on the length of their coat. An owner who wishes to enter their dog in dog shows and show everyone their beautiful pup will be sure to keep his hair long. Show Yorkies have beautiful hair, long and glossy, and its length and condition are vital to it getting high scores from the judges.
For this reason, show Yorkie owners spend hours a day grooming their dogs, particularly at showtime. Even when they’re not in competition, the dog will spend more time being primped and pampered than its owner ever will.
If you’re not interested in showing your dog or entering it into beauty pageants, then most pet groomers recommend keeping the hair short. Your regular Yorkie will usually look just like Toto from The Wizard of Oz!
Keeping the hair clipped short will mean more air gets to his skin and keeps it healthy. Shorter hair is easier to look after, and so is the sensitive skin underneath it. When your Yorkie has short hair, not only does it make life easier, but it means you’ll be able to quickly spot any skin issues that may develop.
Daily brushing, therefore, is a must for longer-haired Yorkies, and a couple of times a week for the short-haired pooches will mean you stay on top of the knots.
Do Yorkies Shed?
Because they don’t have an undercoat, shedding is very rarely a problem for Yorkies, which is a huge relief to their owners! It’s another reason why they’re such popular dogs.
A dog’s coat will always lose some of its hairs over the year, so it’s too optimistic to think your Yorkie pup isn’t going to shed at all, but they’ll shed at about the same rate as a human would. Yet another reason to consider a Yorkie as a pet!
It’s not only their lack of hair around the house that makes them idea pets: dogs who shed very little are perfect dogs for people with allergies. Human skin can be sensitive to dog hairs, so pet parents who suffer with allergies get to live out their doggy dreams with a Yorkie.
How Often Should a Yorkie be Bathed?
Most dogs should be bathed once a month, but we’ve already established that Yorkshire Terriers aren’t like most dogs!
You should bathe your Yorkie once every two weeks, because their silky locks usually require it. Even with the best kind of grooming, a Yorkie’s coat can trap skin oils and body oils that not only make the hair greasy, but can lead to skin problems.
Now, the two-week figure is a general recommendation, but Yorkies do tend to buck the trend when it comes to knowing when to plan bath time. Because of their sensitive skin conditions, some Yorkies need careful bathing once or even twice a week.
Other Yorkies’ skin problems mean they should be bathed even less regularly than once every two weeks. Your vet will be able to advise you on bathing regularity once she’s seen your Yorkie and has an idea of what exactly is causing his skin complaint.
Think of it this way: some people must wash their hair every single day or it looks greasy. Others can’t bear the idea of washing their hair daily because if they do, they’ll strip their hair of natural body oils and make their grease problem worse.
It’s the same with your Yorkie: each one is different and you’ll work out the correct bathing routine in time when you know what works best for his personal skin and coat.
What Products Should You Use?
Now we’re getting down to the nitty gritty.
It can be easy to think that because a Yorkie’s hair is so similar to a human’s, then there’s no need to buy speciality dog shampoo for Yorkies. After all, doesn’t that mean he can use whatever you use in the shower in the morning?
Unfortunately, this would be a very bad idea and you’d soon see your poor Yorkie itching like crazy.
Humans only use shampoo on one small part of their bodies, but a dog’s whole body is covered in hair. This means that when you use products to wash his hair, it will come into contact with the skin on every part of him.
What Ingredients Should the Best Dog Shampoo for Yorkies Contain?
Yorkie shampoo is made with not just a Yorkie’s hair in mind, but their skin, too.
Human shampoos contain different chemicals because we have different skin types to that of a dog. Dog shampoo, particularly Yorkie shampoo, is carefully crafted with more natural ingredients to nourish and feed his skin and coat without leaving him with painful, itchy skin that will drive him wild.
Oatmeal is one such ingredient. It has been used for centuries as a natural way to relieve itchy skin in humans, and its properties work on a dog’s skin, too. It soothes the skin, reducing inflammation and itching.
Other natural ingredients you should look for when buying a shampoo for a Yorkshire Terrier include cooling aloe vera, tea tree oil, almond oil and other mild essential oils.
Can I Use Baby Shampoo on my Yorkie?
Baby shampoo can be one exception to the rule when it comes to bathing your Yorkie.
It might not give him all the natural ingredients that nourish his skin, such as almond oil, coconut oil, soothing aloe or USDA certified organic skin protectors, but if you’ve run out of your regular Yorkie shampoo, baby shampoo is safe to use in an emergency.
This is because baby shampoo is made for sensitive skin. It’s Ph balanced and won’t irritate the skin the way adult human shampoos and conditioners would.
Does a Yorkie Need a Conditioner?
If you’re the pet parents of a show Yorkie then yes, conditioner is a must.
Conditioner is an extra step in the hair-care process that adds extra nourishment and strength to a dog’s hair and is what gives a Yorkie’s coat that gorgeous shine. For extra shine, quality leaves a conditioner in your Yorkie’s hair a little longer than you would shampoo, before rinsing off thoroughly.
If you keep your pup’s hair clipped short, then the conditioner isn’t vital. It’s a nice, added bonus and will keep the Yorkie smelling fresher for longer, but the hair itself won’t be long enough to need regular conditioning.
Can You Use Human Conditioner on Yorkies?
No, for the same reason you wouldn’t use human shampoo on a dog. Always stick to specially formulated shampoos for Yorkies to keep your dog’s skin healthy and give you peace of mind.
Which Shampoo Got Our Vote?
Out of all these dog shampoos, we felt that the Buddy Wash Refreshing Rosemary & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner was our winner!
It wasn’t an easy decision because so many of these shampoo selections seemed to work perfectly to alleviate dry skin problems in Yorkies while nourishing their skin and leaving their coats gleaming.
But we just loved that as well as being cruelty-free, paraben-free and soap-free. The Buddy Wash Refreshing Rosemary & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is both a shampoo and conditioner in one.
This means that not only does it get him squeaky clean and smelling fresh, but he’ll be so soft to stroke for days after his bath, too.
The main thread throughout this buying guide has been that our Yorkie has several things it needs from its shampoo and conditioner, and this bottle has it all! Not only does it tackle dry skin with its ingredients, it leaves his coat gleaming and glossy, the way a Yorkshire Terrier’s coat should be.
We hope this buying guide has been helpful and has given you an idea of what kind of shampoos to shop for. We’re sure your Yorkie will be shiny and new in no time at all!
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